Androsphinx
Androsphinxes appear as gigantic creatures with the lower bodies of lions, the wings of a falcon, and the upper body and head of a male human. They are similar in this regard to gynosphinxes, who have the upper bodies of female humans, and see this other race of sphinx as their only equals.1
Society
Considered the most powerful variety of sphinx, androsphinxes are blunt-natured paragons of justice. They enjoy debate, particularly on the topics of philosophy and ethics, and are willing to barter their permission to pass through their territory in exchange for valuable knowledge.2
Their lairs often resemble the cluttered home of a scholar, littered with books and academic works,3 furniture and containers overflowing with folios, and intriguing magic items to research. Their research projects adorn every available surface, and they are known to overspend when acquiring relevant information or materials.4
Ecology
Like gynosphinxes, androsphinxes are produced solely from the coupling of respectful love between an androsphinx and gynosphinx. Androsphinxes mate with gynosphinxes, and are typically the only recipients of gynosphinxes' desire for companionship.3
On Golarion
Androsphinxes are known to inhabit the Shining Mountains along the Scorpion Coast of Osirion,5 and have lived in northeastern Garund longer even than Osirion itself has existed. Some also live in the deserts of Rahadoum, Thuvia, and Qadira, and were once common visitors to Iblydos for scholarly pursuits. While they are much less common in colder northern climates, their curiosity sometimes drives them to travel when needed.4
In culture
The Androsphinx of Zukebri is a monument in the Underdunes of Osirion that depicts a gem-adorned androsphinx wearing a bronze mask of a pharaoh's face. The inanimate statue emits a perpetual psychic scream and weeps an unknown black fluid.678
Carvings of sphinxes, including androsphinxes, adorn the pyramid of Sekh-pa-Mefer III in the Parched Dunes.9
The Desert card of a harrow deck sometimes depicts an androsphinx.10
Known androsphinxes
- See also: Category:Androsphinx/Inhabitants
- Mekuhare, mythical advisor to Hakotep I11
- Phatep the Sagacious, elder oracle of Gralgor-Ot12
- Shendakut, mummified cleric of Set13
References
- ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 251. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
- ↑ Jonathan Keith, Jason Nelson, and Anthony Pryor. (2012). Mythical Monsters Revisited, p. 53. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-384-2
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jonathan Keith, Jason Nelson, and Anthony Pryor. (2012). Mythical Monsters Revisited, p. 54. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-384-2
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jonathan Keith, Jason Nelson, and Anthony Pryor. (2012). Mythical Monsters Revisited, p. 56. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-384-2
- ↑ Alex Greenshields, Amanda Hamon, Jonathan H. Keith, Ron Lundeen, and David N. Ross. (2014). Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs, p. 30. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-595-2
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Adam Daigle, Jeff Erwin, and F. Wesley Schneider. (2012). Lost Kingdoms, p. 17. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-415-3
- ↑ Alex Greenshields, Amanda Hamon, Jonathan H. Keith, Ron Lundeen, and David N. Ross. (2014). Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs, p. 27. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-595-2
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn et al. (2014). Occult Mysteries, p. 7. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-649-2
- ↑ Rob McCreary. (2014). Risen from the Sands, p. 3. Paizo Inc.
- ↑ Jim Groves. (2012). Murder's Mark, p. 17. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-447-4
- ↑ Adam Daigle. (2014). Continuing the Campaign. Pyramid of the Sky Pharaoh, p. 66–67. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-593-8
- ↑ Alex Greenshields, Amanda Hamon, Jonathan H. Keith, Ron Lundeen, and David N. Ross. (2014). Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs, p. 47. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-595-2
- ↑ Mike Shel. (2014). Pyramid of the Sky Pharaoh. Pyramid of the Sky Pharaoh, p. 16–17. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-593-8